Ballast — Defs

01 n. Any heavy substance, as stone, iron, etc., put into the hold to sink a vessel in the water to such a depth as to prevent capsizing.

1.
Any heavy substance, as stone, iron, etc., put into the hold to sink a vessel in the water to such a depth as to prevent capsizing.(Naut.)
2.
Any heavy matter put into the car of a balloon to give it steadiness.
3.
Gravel, broken stone, etc., laid in the bed of a railroad to make it firm and solid.
4.
The larger solids, as broken stone or gravel, used in making concrete.
5.
Fig.: That which gives, or helps to maintain, uprightness, steadiness, and security.
“It [piety] is the right ballast of prosperity.” — Barrow.

Phrases & compounds

Ballast engine — a steam engine used in excavating and for digging and raising stones and gravel for ballast.

Ship in ballast — a ship carrying only ballast.

02 v. t. To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold.

imp. & p. p. Ballasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Ballasting

1.
To steady, as a vessel, by putting heavy substances in the hold.
2.
To fill in, as the bed of a railroad, with gravel, stone, etc., in order to make it firm and solid.
3.
To keep steady; to steady, morally.
“'T is charity must ballast the heart.” — Hammond.